Air humidifier



Jan. 5, 1932, I G, D, DOHRTY Y 1,839,206

AIR HUMIDIFIER Filed March 22. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MMCMQI% Jan. 5, 1932.

G'. D. DOHERTY AIR HUMIDIFIER Filed March 22, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE D. DOBZERT'Y, 0F MINNEAIPOIJS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR T0 DOHERTY-BREHIMI COMPANY, QF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A CtXBPORATIONl 0F DELAWARE Application mea Haren 22, 192s. serial No. 96,488.

My invention relates to air humidiiers, and has special reference to a class of de- 'vices which are capable of automatically moistening and dampening the arid air of ya room, by reason of their association with the common and ordinary form of radiator heating coils or other heating elements.

lil

My present invention consists of meistening and dampening arid air, usually, heated lair, and distributing the sameso that the air of the room or the like, in which the device is employed, is very considerably and effectually humidified. l One object of my invention is to provide a device. which is capable of ei'ectivel'ypreventing the possibility ofI an arid condition in a`room or otice.

Another object of my invention is to provide an air humidifying device which is capable of continuous automatic performance, Subj ect however to the Wishes of the operator, who may engage the same at will, for the reason that the device is associated with an electric' motor which may be readily started and stopped.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which will not, in accomplishing the objects hereof, namely, securing a. humidified state of air, affect or injure nearby objects by occasion o'f its air dampening and moistening characteristics'. A

A further object of my invention is to provide means which may be comprisedby a form of my invention which will consistently and eectually propel the humidity imparting means in such a manner that humidity,

thorough cleansing of the air and constantI ydistribution are unequivocally ensured.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Experience. has shown that the employment of the usual hot water or steam type of radiator units, or other heat supplying apparatus has resulted in causing the existence in the room, or the like,'in which they are employed, of aridity. Consequently, it has necessarily followed that. both for sanitary and hygienic reasons such a condition must be relieved and efectually eliminated.

My present invention, in a very simple manner and at economical cost, accomphshes all of the above set forth objects thus occasioning a correction and removal of the insanitary and unhygienic dryness of-(the air. It strives for, and maintains, most consistently, a suitable quantity of humidity in the air, thus enabling the proper enjoyment of-a room or oiice and rendering the same pleasant and tenantable. A

The accompanying drawings illustrate a form of my invention, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section as taken on the line 1-1 of F ig. 3, showing a form of my present invention in association with a unit of radiator heating coils;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view in elevation of the same taken on the lines 2 2 of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in elevation of the same form of my invention taken on th lines 3-3 of Fig. 1 r f Fig. 3a isa top view of the form of my invention shown in Fig. 1, the casingrbeng shown in section as taken on the line 3a- 3a of 3, with the overhanging and projecting top of the baile plate and the top of 'cal casing and fan-blade housing of the aforementioned form of my invention taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5)is a sectional view of the same fanblade housing taken on the line. 5--5 of Fig. 3a.

A radiator unit comprises a plurality of radiator heatingcoils 11, which may be the common ordinary hot water or steam type and which receives hot water or steam through a pipe 12. As is customary, the unit 10 isI positioned upon a floor 13 of either a residence room or ollice and in close proximity to a wall 14 of such room or oiiice.

'A baille plate or back 1,5 having sides 16 and 17 is suitably fastened to the floor 13 at 18 and 19, and is positioned in such a manner as to completely -encase the radiator unit 10`on all sides thereof. Of course, the bale plate 15.is not positioned relatively close to the unit 10, but on the contrary is preferably disposed, that is, so far as the sides 16 and 41, which latter is formed by an opening 41al 17 are concerned, at a considerable distance therefrom, as a reference to the drawings will approximately indicate.

The baie plate may comprise any suitable material, preferably of sheet Imetal, which is capable of withstanding heat or other atmospheric conditions and may be arranged and constructed in any-suitable and convenient manner, that is, ofa single strip or of several parts or strips.

A housing 20 is provided Within the enclosure formed by the bale plate 15 and the side and front members and preferably lies relatively adjacent, on a horizontal plane, to the radiator unit 10. This housing 2O comprises end members 21 and 22, side members 23 and 24-the side 24 being an integral part of the back 15, a bottom 25 and top side`26. The top side 26 likewise 'forms part of the baie or back 15; it in conjunction with two adjoining strips 27 and 28 comprising the top portion of the enclosure for the radiator unit 10. A vent 29 is provided in the top. 26. The housing 20 may be constructed of any suitable material, preferably one withstanding heat or other atmospheric conditions. It is also desirable that except as hereafter pointed out, the housing 2O be closely jointed at its several sides, bottom and top. Any suitable arrangement will suiice so long as an airtight joint is secured. Y

An opening 30 may be provided in the Wall 14, at any suitable place preferably near the location of the radiator unit 10. A iiue 31 passes from the vent 30 to the baile 15 and engages said baffle 15 or is suitably attached thereto at 32 and relatively close to the short side 22 of the housing 20. Approximating the open face of the flue`31 and providing ingress for the air, which it is adapted to conduct as hereafter described, is an opening 33, in the baile plate 15, which is disposed adjacent the housing 2O and slightly above the plane in which the upper ends of the radiator coils 11 lie. An adjustable `control or damperl 34 is disposed in the flue 31 in close proximity to the baiile plate 15 and is adapted to control the flow of air into the opening 33.

An opening 35 is also provided in the Wall 14 and is similarly connected to an opening 36 in the baffle 15 by a iue 37 which is likewise provided with an adjustable control or damper 38.

A strip or section 39 which may be formed of the same material which composes the housing 2O in baie plate 15 lies in a plane at right angles tol the lower, end of the opening 36, engaging and being secured to the side of the baffle plate 15 and the lower side or panel 25 of the housing 20. This section 39 is coextensive with the panel 25 -and forms an abutment against. which a pivotal adjustable regulator or control40 abuts to regulate the flow or passage of air through the opening in the end wall 2l bounded bylthe baffle 15, the bottom 25, and an arc described by *the free end of the pivotal regulator 40. The size of the opening 41 as well as the size of the opening on the opposite side of the regulator is determined by the manipulation of a handle 42, thus regulating and controlling the amount and iow of the air through both of the openings Referring now to the housing 2O and the contents thereof, an electrical motor 43, which may be a slnall type of ordinary power propelling form c omprising a driving shaft 44, is suitably disposed therein, being fastened to the panel 25. In close proximity to the motor 43, andy similarly fastened to the panel 25 is a housing 45 having an opening or mouth 46, the periphery thereof coinciding l with or protruding through the vent 29 in the upper side 26 of the housing 20, hereinbefore mentioned. The housing may be constructed of any suitablematerial, preferably some light metal, and is adapted to contain fan blades and is so shaped as to constantly discharge the humidilied air while the device is in operation. The particular form thereof is not essential, excepting however that provision must be made to contain the fan blades and that provision be made for mounting and securing the means connecting the driving shaft 44E-of the motor 43 with the humidity imparting meansv to be described presently. The housing 45 is also airtight at its junctures, etc., excepting those openings to which reference is specifically made. f

Fan blades 47v are disposed within the housing 45 and are mounted upon `the driving shaft 44 of the motor 43 which enters the housing 45 and revolves upon the bearings 48 and 48a, the shaft-44 terminating at the bearing 48.

Engaging the periphery of a circular vent Y 49, in the housing 45 and adapted to revolve therein, is an annular collar 50 of a cylindrical casing 51, which'comprises fabric mesh covering 63 or any otherasuitable moisture absorbing material. The' casingV 51 is partially suspended into a water container 52 which is suitably fastened to the panel 25. "i

A support 53 has a. semi-circular or open socket 54 in which a. bearing 55 of the cylindrical casing 51 rides and rotates.

A rock shaft 56 is mounted upon the housing 45, by means of the slip 57 and has rock arms 58 and 59. A cam or eccentricallydisf posed wheel 60 is rotatably mounted upon the rock arm 58 and is vadapted to ride upon the driving shaft 44. A pawl 61 is securely fastened to the rock arm 59and is adapted to engage the notched gears 62 which' are provided on the protruding neck 5() of the rotatablel casing 51.

I shall -now proceed to outline the yoperation of the form nf my invention just described and `state the purposes and functions of the various parts and means herein described.

At the inception it is to be understood that the radiator unit 10 is in employment and that heat is being radiated therefrom. The desired 'object is to obtain and maintain a suitable quantity of humidity in and about the room or ofce in which the radiator unit 10 is being operated.

Fresh air is admitted from the exterior of the room or office, either from the outside of the home or building itself or from an adjoining room, into the opening 30 where it passes on through the flue 31. This air is next admitted to the region adjoining the side 22 of the lhousing 20 near the opening 33 through which it passes; the current thereof tending to move toward the radiator unit 10. The amount of such air may easily be regulated and controlled by means of the slidable and adjustable control or damper 34, which is capable of either wholly withholding such' air from the apparatus or completely admitting the largest quantity possible.

This air tending to move as it does toward the unit 10, becomes by reason of its entrance and passage to and through the radiator coils 11 suiiiciently-heated for room heating purposes. p

The air upon leaving the radiator coil 10 is now heated and has become expanded and consequently being relatively lighter, ascends to the lower panel 25 of the housing 2O and thel section 39, finding egress only through the opening 41 afforded by the adjustable control 40, which may be regulated according to the results desired.

In the region or chamber to which the heated air has been admitted by the control 40, it is mixed with additional fresh unheated air which has been admitted to said chamber through the opening 41a on the side of the control 40 opposite to the portion 41 through which the heated air passes and throughthe flue '37, entering the flue 37 at the opening 35.

For the reason that more heated air is constantly gaining entrance to this chamber, this mixture of heated and fresh cold air is forced into the housing 20, wherein the motor 43 is in operation, the motor driving the fan blades 47 and indirectly causing the cylindrical cas-A ing 51 to rotate slowly (as will be presently pointed out) in the water container 52 provided with water;

This admixture of air in thus entering the housing 20 is attracted tothe mesh fabric covering 63 of the casing 51 and in passing therethrough or attaching thereto is cleaned and has supplied to it humidity by reason of the slow rotation of the fabric the water of the container 52.

Now thoroughly cleaned and humidi'ed the air in such condition, is further attracted by occasion of a vacuum or suction existing because of the operation of the fan blades 47 to the housing 45 from which, through the vent 29, it is blown and distributed about the room by the fan blades 47. f

I shall now relate the cause of the slow rotation of the casing 51 and thevpurpose thereof. To allow the casing 51 to rotate at a speed equal to that at which the driving shaft 44 rotates, would cause an unsuitable situation, namely, that there would ensue a splashing of the water in the container because of the rapid rotation of the casing thereby preventing the successful impartation of humidity to the air and otherwise causing disorder and a serious wetting of parts and appurtenances. Thus, it is desirable that the casing rotate slowly. To accomplish this, and with the successful imparta,- tion of humidity in view, I have provided the eccentrically mounted wheel 60 which freely rides upon the driving shaft 44. Because of its eccent-ricity it is impossible for the wheel 60 to rotate perfectly or in unison with the shaft 44. but on the contrary when the bulgcd yportion or cam thereof rests upon or contacts with the shaft 44, the rock arm 58 to which the wheel 60 is secured is slightly raised, thereby causing the rock shaft 56 to rotate almost imperceptibly. Securely fastened to the rock shaft 56 is the second rock arm 59 which likewise moves slightly as the rock arm 58 is raised. The pawl 61 secured to one end of the arm 59 and in engagement with the gears 62 on the protruding neck 5() of the casing 51 thus causes to move or effects a slight rotation of the cylindrical casing 51. The pawl 61 then slips back to the succeeding notch of the gear 62 and upon thev next raise of the rock arm 58 again effects a slight rotation of the casing 51 and thus a slow rotation of the casing 51 is perfected, which continues throughout the'entire operation of the device.

Although I have described but one form of my lnvention, it is obvious that it may be practiced in many other various forms without departing from the scope and spirit thereof and consequent-1y I wish it understood that I am to be limited only on the scope of the appended claims and the prior art.

I claim:

i 1. An air humidifying and air heating device comprisin means -for conducting air for the purposeo heating it, means adapted to heat said air, controllable means adapted to mix such heated air with fresh air, a rotatable cylindrical casing of mesh fabric, means fory 'wetting said mesh fabric to impart humidity to said lmixture of air, and suction means in communication with vsaid `cylindrical casing whereby said mixture of air is sucked axially through said wetted mesh-fabric and blown from said apparatus.

2. A combined heating, Ventilating and humidifying system comprising a heating unit, a housing therefor provided with an opening admitting fresh air thereto for the purpose of heating it, a second housing in communication with said first housing at a point remote from said first opening, regulatable means for admitting fresh air into said first housing, a second regulatable means for controlling the air admitted into said second housing, a third regulatable means for admitting fresh air to said second housing, a water. container disposed in said second housing, a cylindrical casing of mesh material partially submerged in the water in said container, and a blower in communication therewith adapted to draw the air axially through 'said cylindrical casing and serving to`d1scharge the humidified air from the apparatus.

3. A combinedy heating, Ventilating and humidifying system comprising a heating unit, a housing therefor provided with van opening admitting fresh air thereto for the purpose of heating it, a second housing in communication with said firstl housing at a point remote from said first opening, regulatable means for admitting fresh air into said first housing, a second regulatable means common to both said first and second housings for controlling the mixture of fresh and heated air admitted into said second housing, a third regulatable means for admitting fresh air to said second housing, a humidifying means for-said air in said second housing, and a blower directly associated with and adapted to draw the air through said humidifying means, said blower discharging the humidified air from the apparatus.

4. An air humidifying and air heating device comprising a heating4 unit, a housing therefor provided with means for admitting fresh air thereto to be heated, a controllable regulator common to both said first and second housings adapted to mix such heated air with freslr air, humidifying means for imparting humidity to said mixture of air, and suction means directly associated with and adapted to draw the mixture through said humidifying means, said suction means discharging the humidified air from said device. I

5. An air humidifying and air heating device comprising a heating unit, a housing therefor provided with means for admitting fresh air thereto to be heated, a second housing, a controllable regulator between said first and said second mentioned housings for admitting a desired mixture of fresh air and said heated air to said second housing, humidifying means in said second housing, and suction means directly associated with and leasing heated air therefrom, a second housing having an opening therein communicating with said first mentioned housin and a source of fresh air supply', an adJustable regulator mounted at the openings of the first'and second housings for controlling the mixture of fresh air and heated air to said second housing, humidifying means in said second housing, and suction means directly associated with and adaptedv to draw said mixture through said humidifying means, said suction means discharging the humidified air from said device.

7. An air humidifying and air heating device comprising a heating unit, a housing therefor provided with an aperture for releasing heated air therefrom, a second housing having an aperture' therein, a conduit communicating with said second housing through said last mentioned aperture for admitting a supply of fresh air thereto, and a regulator pivotally mounted at said apertures to close a passageway between said conduit and said first housing and to admit a desired proportion of fresh air and heated air to said second housing, humidifying means in said second housing, and suction means directly associated with and adapted to draw said mixture through said humidifying means, said suction means discharging the humidified air from said device.

in witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

GEO. D. DOHERTY.

adapted to draw said mixture through said s humidifying means, said suction means discharging the humidified air from said device.

6. An air humidifying and air heating device comprising a heating unit, a housing therefor provided with an opening for re- 

